A new study has revealed that the Google Play Store and Apple App Store app stores are flooded with fake reviews.
While one-fourth of the comments and approvals for the apps in the health and fitness section of the Google Play Store were found suspicious, 17 percent of Apple’s equivalent reviews were fake.
Consumer group Which? This analysis shows that millions of consumers may be unwittingly handing over their personal data or money to apps that scammed to the top of the world’s two leading mobile app stores.
The size of the problem is bigger than you think. Which? It also found that fake reviews were openly sold by agents who paid Google to appear high in search results. These services offer bulk downloads, reviews or ratings to help apps rank higher, making apps that have been downloaded in large numbers appear more reputable. For this reason, it is useful to think twice before relying on the comments and the given stars.